Shanti and Anushasana Parvas · Chapter 43
Bhishma's Teachings from the Bed of Arrows
The story so far
Yudhishthira became king of Hastinapur, but his mind was still troubled. Bhishma lay on the bed of arrows, waiting for Uttarayana.
Krishna said to Yudhishthira, 'The knowledge Bhishma holds will leave the world when he does. Come, learn the duties of a king from him.' All the Pandavas went to Kurukshetra, where Bhishma still lay on his arrows.
Bhishma said, 'Keshava, you are yourself an ocean of wisdom, so why me? And in the pain of these wounds my mind is not clear.' Krishna took away his pain and weariness and said, 'I want your glory to last forever. Your words will be like the Vedas for the world.'
Then, for many days, Bhishma spoke and Yudhishthira listened. A king's first duty is to protect his people and keep them happy. Truth, compassion, forgiveness and hard work are a king's true ornaments. He explained , how to live in times of crisis. And finally the path to liberation: calming the mind and fixing it on God.
One day Yudhishthira asked, 'Who is the greatest God in the world? By praising whom does a person find true good?' Bhishma pointed to Krishna and recited the hymn of the thousand names of Lord Vishnu, which we know today as the .
Bhishma's teachings are collected in the Shanti and Anushasana Parvas of the Mahabharat. A warrior who spent his whole life with the sword became a teacher in his last days, and his words are still read today.
विश्वं विष्णुर्वषट्कारो भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः। भूतकृद्भूतभृद्भावो भूतात्मा भूतभावनः॥
He is the universe, the all-pervading Vishnu, the lord of sacrifice, master of past, future and present; he creates and sustains all beings, is their very being and soul, and helps them grow.
— Vishnu Sahasranama, first verse of names (Anushasana Parva)
A lesson for today
Knowledge is complete only when it is passed on. Make time to learn from your elders' experience; you won't find it in books.
All chapters
- 1King Shantanu and Ganga
- 2Bhishma's Vow
- 3Satyavati and Sage Vyasa
- 4The Story of Amba
- 5The Birth of Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura
- 6Kunti's Boon and the Birth of Karna
- 7The Pandavas and Kauravas Are Born
- 8Guru Drona and the Bird's Eye
- 9Eklavya's Devotion to His Guru
- 10Karna at the Tournament
- 11The House of Lac
- 12Bhima and Hidimba
- 13Draupadi's Swayamvar
- 14Indraprastha and the Maya Sabha
- 15The Rajasuya and Shishupal
- 16The Game of Dice
- 17Draupadi's Honour Is Saved
- 18The Exile Begins
- 19Arjuna Wins the Pashupatastra
- 20Karna's Gift: The Armour and Earrings
- 21The Yaksha's Questions
- 22The Year in Disguise and Kichaka
- 23Uttar and Brihannala
- 24Krishna Chooses Sides
- 25Krishna's Peace Mission
- 26Karna's Truth: Krishna and Kunti
- 27Arjuna's Crisis at Kurukshetra
- 28Krishna Reveals His Cosmic Form
- 29Yudhishthira Seeks His Elders' Blessings
- 30Bhishma on the Bed of Arrows
- 31Abhimanyu and the Chakravyuh
- 32Arjuna's Vow and Jayadratha's End
- 33Ghatotkacha's Sacrifice
- 34'Ashwatthama Is Dead': The End of Drona
- 35Karna Takes Command and Bhima Keeps His Vow
- 36Karna and Arjuna: The Final Duel
- 37The Eighteenth Day: The End of Shalya and Shakuni
- 38Bhima and Duryodhana: The Mace Fight
- 39Ashwatthama's Night Attack
- 40The Brahmastra and Ashwatthama's Jewel
- 41Gandhari's Grief and Curse
- 42Karna's Secret and Yudhishthira's Sorrow
- 43Bhishma's Teachings from the Bed of Arrows
- 44Bhishma Leaves His Body at Uttarayana
- 45The Birth of Parikshit
- 46The Sacrificial Horse and Babruvahana
- 47The Half-Golden Mongoose
- 48The Elders Go to the Forest
- 49The Curse of the Iron Club and the End of the Yadavas
- 50Krishna Departs and Dwarka Sinks
- 51The Final Journey and Yudhishthira's Dog
- 52Yudhishthira in Heaven